Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA first to invent provisions.
Claim Objections
Claim 1 is objected to because it is missing "fiber" before the second instance of "optic" in line 4 (i.e., "plurality of optic modules" should be "plurality of fiber optic modules").
Claim 1 is also objected to because it is missing "optic" between "fiber" and "module" in line 25.
Claim 4 is objected to because it is missing "first" before "fiber optic" in line 2.
Claim 16 is objected to because it is missing "fiber" before the first instance of "optic" in line 6 (i.e., "plurality of optic modules" should be "plurality of fiber optic modules").
Claim 16 is also objected to because it is missing "optic" between "fiber" and "module" in line 29.
Claim 20 is objected to because it is missing "first" before "fiber optic" in line 2.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the applicant regards as the invention.
Claims 1 and 16 are indefinite because there is insufficient antecedent basis for "the internal chamber" as recited in line 12 of claim 1 or line 14 of claim 16. No internal chamber was mentioned earlier in either claim.
Claims 2-15 and 17-20 are indefinite by dependence from claims 1 or 16.
Allowable Subject Matter
It is expected that claims 1-20 will be allowable if suitable amendments are made to overcome the indefiniteness rejection and objections above. The prior art of record does not disclose or suggest a method of installing a fiber optic apparatus which involves a chassis, fiber optic equipment trays, and fiber optic modules having all the recited structures of claims 1 and 16 which includes all the recited steps. More particularly it does not disclose or suggest a step of installing a fiber optic module of the recited type on a first fiber optic equipment tray of the recited type, from the rear end of said tray and without extending the tray from the chassis.
Conclusion
The references listed on the attached 892 form disclose examples of fiber optic apparatus which are considered generally relevant to the subject matter of this application.
Contact Information
Examiner: 571-272-2360
Examiner's direct supervisor: 571-272-2397
Official correspondence by fax: 571-273-8300
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/Michael Stahl/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2874
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